LAS VEGAS (AP) — Newly named All-Star Kevin Fiala scored three goals to help the Los Angeles Kings beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-1 Saturday night and edge closer to their Pacific Division rivals.
Second-place Los Angeles has 52 points, just four behind the Knights, who have a game in hand. The Kings have won two of the three meetings, with one game between the teams left April 6 in L.A.
Los Angeles also ended the Knights' four-game home winning streak and three-game overall win streak.
Fiala had his first multigoal game this season and second career hat trick. His other was April 7, 2021, against Colorado.
Matt Roy and Viktor Arvidsson also scored for Vegas. Arvidsson has seven points (two goals, five assists) in his past six games. Teammate Gabriel Vilardi had three assists against the Knights.
Pheonix Copley made 19 saves for his eighth victory in nine games, but his one loss during that streak was a 5-2 defeat Thursday to the Boston Bruins. He came within 2:15 of his second career shutout before Jonathan Marchessault's slap shot finally put the Knights on the scoreboard.
Fiala had an empty-netter with 1:27 remaining to complete his hat trick and give him 13 goals on the season.
Los Angeles took control in the second period, scoring twice and holding Vegas to four shots on goal. Golden Knights coach Bruce Cassidy benched goalie Logan Thompson after that period and inserted Adin Hill.
Two key players returned to the Golden Knights after being out. Marchessault missed the previous six games because of a lower-body injury, and defenseman Alec Martinez returned after a four-absence after blocking a shot Dec. 27 against Los Angeles.
Marchessault entered Saturday's game tied for third on the team with 14 goals, and Martinez was the NHL leader with 132 blocked shots.
CAPTAIN STRIKES AGAIN
Los Angeles captain Anze Kopitar reached 500 career points on the road with an assist in the second period, the sixth active player to reach that mark. He also is one point from 1,100 points overall. Kopitar has been especially effective against the Knights, with 31 points in 28 career games against them, the most of any Vegas opponent. Kopitar also has points in three consecutive games (one assist, two goals).
UP NEXT
Kings: Host Edmonton on Monday night.
Golden Knights: Host Florida on Thursday night.
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